NEWSLETTER - Soma spol.s.r.o.

P r i n t i n g a n d C o n v e r t i n g M a c h i n e s
www.soma-eng.com
Falcon II - The Intelligent Job Setting System
The faster and smarter solution to your
flexible packaging printing needs.
Welcome to the autumn
OPEN HOUSE
15. 10. - 20. 11. from 10.00 to 17.30 hrs
at our factory in Lanskroun
Please register at
www.soma-eng.com
S o m a E n g i n e e r i n g - I n n o v a t i o n D r i v e n C o m p a n y
NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE
Issue 1 - 2010
FALCON II - Intelligent job setting system
PLUTO ECO - Latest slitter model
SAFTA - a user reports
ECO LAMINATING
SOMA FLEX MIDI II
- sales booming
Die Cutters Slitter Rewinders Flexographic presses Laminators Mounter Proofers Sheeters
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F O R E W O R D
Think economically, work ecologically!
Since the beginning of the recession in 2008 many companies have been forced to
think differently about their business strategies in order to keep their machines in
production. Similarly, machinery suppliers have been forced to think differently about
customers and their requirements.
Economic recovery is now becoming a reality and the flexible packaging industry is
predicted to grow by an average of 4.6 percent per year and increase in value to $ 56
billion by 2011. We are ready to take part in this recovery and to help our customers
win business with performance enhanced, value for money machines and
technologies that optimise production. We are able to do this by using Czech
engineering in combination with German sourced components. This policy has the
advantage of enabling us to build high technology machines at a lower cost due to
the cheaper skilled labour available in the Czech Republic.
In order to give customers the right solutions we have to be in tune with market
conditions and end user demands while also taking into account environmental
issues and legislation that affect the flexible packaging industry. We know
production costs have to be reduced to increase profits and one way of doing this is
by reducing energy consumption. Another is to reduce machine make ready times to
minimise substrate and consumables waste. Both also go some way towards
reducing carbon emissions and achieving compliance with environmental
legislation.
We will present a new concept in technology at our Autumn Open House and K-
Show in Duesseldorf that will demonstrate our efforts in maximising the benefits we
can bring you. The theme of this new concept is: Think economically, work
ecologically!
Ultimately all our efforts are focused on equipping you for today’s market challenges.
Our aim is to assist you in running a profitable and sustainable production operation
with equipment that offers economical investment and the best price to quality ratio
without sacrificing engineering or performance.
Ladislav Verner
Chief Executive Officer
Soma Engineering
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
S o m a G l o b e
FLEXO IN JAPAN
We are pleased to announce the sale of the wide
web flexographic printing press in Japan to Tokyo
based Toho Processing Inc. The 850 mm wide,
SOMA Flex MIDI press was supplied through
Heidelberg, our Distributor in the region.
The sale is seen as significant in that Toho
Processing Inc., Tokyo is a leader in the gravure
printing for flexible packaging in Japan and
initiated the introduction of water-based flexo to
address the environmental issues associated
with using solvent based inks and VOC
emissions.
SOMA PRESS USER SCOOPS GRAND PRIX
FLEXO GOLD
SOMA press users were among the nominated
and winning combinations at the 2010
International Print and Innovation Award
organised by PLFTA, the flexographic printing
association in Poland.
The competition offers participating companies
the opportunity to gain public recognition of their
achievements and demonstrate the outstanding
degree of excellence the flexographic printing
process has achieved. An international team of
judges evaluated sample prints and awarded
points based on several criteria. These included
design and functionality based on substrate use,
difficulty of reproduction, matched proofs and
conversion to flexography from another printing
process.
Entries submitted by SOMA press users were in
the mid-web category from 551mm to 999mm
with PPHU Pabex Sp. J. scooping a gold medal
for the second time with its Sledzie Matyjas
Premium print. PPHU “Ewa” Strekowski were
among the nominees with its Ekspesowa
Herbatka Owocowa design as was Drukarnia
Fleksograficzna POL – ZDOB with its Laschinger
mit Chilli and mit Orangen print.
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O P E N H O U S E
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NEW CONCEPT FOR AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE AT SOMA
We will present a new concept in flexible packaging at our Autumn Open House from
October 15 to November 15, 2010 at our facility in Lanskroun, Czech Republic. The
theme of the Autum Open House, Think economically, work ecologically is our
response to market pressures and the current signs of economic recovery. Visitors will
be able to see equipment aimed at increasing profits and reducing waste and energy
costs while at the same time addressing environmental issues.
We will demonstrate an eight colour Soma Flex Midi II flexographic printing press
equipped with Falcon II, a new intelligent job setting systém. Our top and mid range
Venus II and Pluto II slitting machines will also be demonstrated together with a
Lamiflex E environementally friendly, energy saving laminating line. Jobs on the
machines will demostrate how value can be added to the production process
throughout the flexible packaging workflow.
The EFTA 2010 award winning print job originally produced in high resolution using
Kodak technology on a Soma Flex Imperia model supplied to UK based Ultimate
Packaging will be reproduced on the 1350mm wide Soma Flex Midi II. The press will
also be running printing jobs using directly engraved sleeve technology from Bottcher,
Germany and Fast Cyrel Round sleeve printing from Dupont. Visitors will be able to see
the press running at speeds up to 450mt/min and fast job setting through the new
Falcon II system.
The Falcon II system reduces waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and reduces
make-ready times by up to 50 percent allowing both long and short printing runs to be
processed economically and with significantly improved profit margins.
Visitors will also be able to see demonstrations of the Venus II high performance,
servo driven slitter that offers medium and wide web printers and converters a cost
effective solution for processing a wide range of substrates at high speed. The system
is equipped with Tenzomat II, a unique rewind tension control system. The Pluto II
slitter will be demonstrated with new performance upgrades that increase efficiency
while keeping investment costs down. This economically priced model is
manufactured to high engineering standards and the upgrades are aimed at giving
customers a high quality machine capable of handling as wide a range of material as
possible.
Practical demonstrations will enable visitors to the event to learn how they can achieve
economic success and outstanding quality on short-run printing and converting
applications. Think economically, work ecologically!
We look forward to welcoming you to Lanskroun.
Marketing Department
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
First printing job
Second printing job
Third printing job
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F A L C O N I I
I N T E L L I G E N T J O B
S E T T I N G S Y S T E M
NEW GENERATION INTELLIGENT JOB SETTING SYSTEM CREATES
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
We are pleased to announce the development of a new system to automate
impression and register settings. Falcon II is the second generation of automation
technology from SOMA and consists of two processes designated Automatic
Impression Setting and Smart Register system by BST International. The Automatic
Impression Setting program sets the printing pressure at the start of a job without the
need for dedicated print marks.
The system reduces waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and reduces makeready
times by up to 50 percent allowing both long and short printing runs to be
processed economically and with significantly improved profit margins. Impression
and register for a 10 colour job on average can waste between 150 – 180m of material
substrate. Falcon II reduces waste down to a standard 45 m.
Print runs are becoming smaller and turn-around cycles shorter so make-ready times
must be minimised in order to produce jobs efficiently and gain a competitive edge.
Falcon II is the next step towards our goal of fully automating and speeding up the
make-ready process. Environmental issues are also an important consideration.
Falcon II is an example of our efforts to provide solutions for the development,
production, and utilisation of presses to limit the depletion of resources while reducing
emissions, and waste. Falcon II increases press utilisation because job setting is the
same for short and long print runs”.
Impression setting is achieved without actually printing giving zero material waste.
The system works by scanning the kiss impression between the printing material and
the plates as well as between the plates and anilox roller at full material width.
Intelligent PS Plate Safe software protects the printing plates from being damaged or
squeezed beyond kiss impression. Manual adjustments by the operator are also
possible.
The BST Smart Register system is well proven software to assist the operator to set
accurate registration points. The operator starts the press and stops the machine to
check registration after a complete image is printed. The settings are then adjusted
with the assistance of intelligent software by matching the individual printing points,
colour after colour to the registration mark parameters. Intelligent software and servo
assisted drives then automatically move the printing sleeves to the correct position
according to the pre-set values. This means the operator can accurately set the
register for every printing deck resulting in less waste, faster make ready, increased
available press time and improved print quality. Falcon II is a modular system that can
be applied to any SOMA press with any repeat range and can also be retro fitted to
existing machines. The system has been fully tested by our technicians and is now
operating in the field.
Zdenek Appl
¬
Chief of Flexo Design Group Soma Engineering
II
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
FALCON 2
- INTELLIGENT IMPRESSION SETTING
SETTING OF OPTIMAL IMPRESSION
15+15 - 30 meters
BST SMART REGISTER
45 meters
Totally 45 meters
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P L U T O e c o
E C O N O M I C A L
& E C O L O G I C A L S O L U T I O N
K 2010 LAUNCH FOR PLUTO ECO SLITTER REWINDER
K2010 will see the launch of the Pluto Eco slitter/rewinder based on our new theme of
"think economically and slit ecologically.” The system can be supplied in basic format to
provide an entry-level or start-up machine for standard volume work and added to as
and when converting requirements change. The Pluto II eco is SOMA’s response to
converters looking for a reliable but economically priced slitter rewinder that offers
maximum production versatility.
The system is aimed at companies processing high volumes of material and has been
developed to both reduce investment and running cost and with preservation of the
environment in mind. This has been achieved by eliminating hydraulics to reduce
power consumption and permit clean, oil free operation. These features together with a
new, stream-lined design combine to bring customers a cost effective, environmentally
friendly machine. A special web path permits the machine to be utilised for food and
pharmaceutical slitting.
The Pluto II eco is capable of processing 1100, 1350 and 1650 mm web widths at a
maximum slitting speed of 500 m/min. and enables users to respond quickly and flexibly
to the most varied of customer requirements. A wide range of materials and formats can
be slit. These include multiple layer laminates up to 130 g/m3, glass fibre laminates, coextruded
films of mixed quality, paper, PP and PET from ultra-thin 0,015 mm to 0,060
mm and PE up to 0,200 mm. The machine has a maximum rewind diameter of 635 mm
and a minimum slit width of 35 mm with option for as lows as 25 mm.
Shaftless operation at unwind with pneumatically controlled braking system simplify
operation and optional automatic laser core positioning on rewind shafts assist the
operator to carry out precise and fast core setting for new jobs. This uses common data
for the knife assistant positioning system. Easier knife exchange is carried out directly
within the machine eliminating the need to remove heavy shafts (male and female).
The female knife shaft is located within the slitter rewinder and female knives are
loaded easily through a convenient access on the side of the machine. A logically
designed central control panel and self-explanatory user interface combine to assist
the operator. Additional options include ionisation bars to reduce static, individual layon
rollers and Tenzomat II which measures real tension values for each working
moment and enables precise rewind tension regulation during the complete rewind
cycle.
Commenting on the development, Chief of Slitter Rewinder Design Group, Miroslav
Stejskal said, “The cost effective and space-saving design integrates the unwind,
slitting and rewind systems within a compact machine. This means it has a small
footprint where space is limited in the factory. Customers can be sure that the design is
based on our usual high engineering standards and innovative detail based on many
years experience in the field. Low capital tie-up and maximum slitting quality mean that
an investment in the Pluto II eco is a secure route towards growth.”
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
Technical Parameters
Max. web width
Min. web width
Min. slit width
Max. working speed
Max. parent roll diameter
Slit reel diameter 635 mm
LASER CORE GUIDING SYSTEM
STRIP HOLDER SYSTEM
Metric
1.100 / 1.350 / 1.600 mm
300 mm
35 / 25 mm
500 m/min
1.000 mm
UNWINDING TENSION CONTROL
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S A F T A
SOMA OFFERS BEST QUALITY TO PRICE RATIO AT SAFTA
We are pleased to report on the installation of two slitter/rewinders
from our Planet range at SAFTA S.p.A., Italy. The Pluto II and Venus
II models join six existing slitter rewinders at the Piacenza based
company and are part of its plans to improve quality and production
efficiencies.
Commenting on the purchase, Marco Murelli of SAFTA said, “We
had felt some economic impact in the last quarter of 2009 due to
the recession. Fortunately this was not serious and we managed to
overcome the situation by improving our processes and job
organisation to improve effectiveness. Some new investments
were also needed to increase our overall efficiency.”
The specification of both 1350mm wide slitter rewinders include
SOMA’s Tensomat II system for precise rewind tension control
through PLC and tensometers to ensure constant tension;
automatic knife/razor and laser core positioning as well as intuitive
controls to simplify operation.
“The people at SAFTA first saw the Pluto II machine demonstrated
at the last ICE show in Munich and were impressed with its high
engineering standards and quality of slitting, says Pavla Kusa of
SOMA. They were so enthused with its performance and versatility
on a wide range of substrates that they quickly followed the
purchase of the Pluto II with an order for the larger, AC Servo driven
Venus II model. We know customers have choices and appreciate
the confidence SAFTA has placed in investing in our equipment.”
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
“We have standardised slitting and rewinding production to around
1600mm web widths and have six other models from Italian and
British manufacturers, says Murelli. “The decision to change and
purchase SOMA was judged on the grounds of best price versus
quality ratio. We believe SOMA is one of the best from this point of
view. These are very versatile machines and we use them to slit a
wide range of high quality products. 5 days per week, three shifts
per day.”
SAFTA originally started business as producers of Rayon-Viscose
materials and is now an international household name in the
flexible packaging industry. The company has over 370 employees
and in 2002 became part of the Guala Group, a holding company
engaged in the packaging industry. The company divides its
production into five sections, blown film extrusion utilising five
extruders; pre-press and plate making; printing using six
rotogravure presses; film laminating using five machines and
slitting where final quality control is carried out. The company prints
and converts flexible packaging for soluble goods, beverages, food
products, pet food, pharmaceuticals, medicals, detergents and
cosmetics.
Concludes Pavla Kusa, “We share the same aims as SAFTA in
delivering the best packaging solutions and our commitment to
customers is in bringing to market, products that offers the same
high level of engineering as our more established competitors at a
quality and price ratio that benefits all concerned.”
PLUTO II VENUS II
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E C O
L A M I N AT I N G
SOMA ECO LAMINATING MACHINE SALES BOOMING
We are delighted to inform you that sales of our Lamiflex E laminating
machine are booming having sold ten in 2010, to date and with more
enquiries in the pipeline. We put this success down to growing concerns for
the environment, rising energy costs and customer confidence in the quality
to price ratio of its equipment.
“We have seen a significant increase in demand for this system across all our
regional markets”, states Pavla Kusa, Brand Manager. “The Lamiflex E is an
ecologically friendly laminator that is cost effective and that also benefits the
environment. It uses a two part, solvent-free polyurethane adhesive that sets
via chemical reaction. This avoids VOC emissions and also eliminates the
need for a heated drying tunnel saving on both high energy consumption and
machine engineering costs while also reducing carbon emissions.”
Apart from the obvious environmental advantages, we would like to share
with you some comments from a selection of customers that have purchased
the Lamiflex E machine for attributes such as reliability, experience with
existing SOMA machines and ease of operation.
Gerhard Ulrich, owner and CEO of Ulikett GmbH, Austria says”Our 850mm
wide Lamiflex E joins a Venus II slitter from SOMA Engineering. I did not
consider other manufacturers because I know from experience that SOMA
machines are reliable.”
Lukas Kult of Casia, Trutnov, Czech Republic adds, “The simplicity and
familiarity of operation together with reliability and price performance ratio
were the key reasons for purchasing the Lamiflex E. After several months of
production I have to add another positive aspects which is lower energy
consumption. With energy costs increasing all the time, this means
substantial benefits for our company.”
Sergey Gorbickiy co-owner of Masterflex OOO, Minsk, Belarus says, We see
SOMA as synonymous with quality. We could have gone with lesser quality
equipment, but you get what you pay for. We wanted the best and we have
not been disappointed.”
The Lamiflex E is compact and robust enough to take on demanding shifts on
a wide range of materials and includes design features to protect against
damage from leaks, light and other agencies, says Kusa. “Ease of operation
is provided through intuitive touch screen controls with menu, remote
communication and diagnostic capability. Our solvent- free laminating
NEWSLETTER
Issue 1 - 2010
CASIA, spol. s r. o. - CZECH REPUBLIC
MASTERFLEX OOO - BELARUS
LAMIFLEX E
technology is based on precise application of the
adhesive in a controlled and uniform manner combined
with accurate tension control of the material. In this
respect, we have drawn on our long term experience
with the manufacture of slitting and rewinding machines
where as with laminating, tension control is a key
factor.”
Soma’s tension control system consists of four precise
web tension control units linked to AC servomotors and
dance rollers with taper tension for accurate rewind
web control to avoid telescoping of the finished reel.
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